STURM RUGER & CO INC - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)

 Ö  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

OR

     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ___________

Commission File Number 0-4776

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(203) 259-7843

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  YES  Ö  NO         

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES      NO  Ö   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES  Ö  NO       

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K [   ].

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer [ Ö ] Accelerated filer [   ] Non-accelerated filer [   ] Smaller reporting company [   ].

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).YES      NO  Ö   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YES  Ö   NO       

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of June 30, 2017:

Common Stock, $1 par value - $1,076,065,000

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of February 23, 2018:

Common Stock, $1 par value –17,427,090 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 9, 2018 are incorporated by reference into Part III (Items 10 through 14) of this Report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXPLANATORY NOTE:

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary (the “Company”) makes forward-looking statements and projections concerning future expectations. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to certain qualifying risks and uncertainties, such as market demand, sales levels of firearms, anticipated castings sales and earnings, the need for external financing for operations or capital expenditures, the results of pending litigation against the Company, the impact of future firearms control and environmental legislation, and accounting estimates, any one or more of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could” and other words and terms of similar meaning, typically identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date such forward-looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent unanticipated events.

PART I

ITEM 1—BUSINESS

Company Overview

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary (the “Company”) is principally engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of firearms to domestic customers. Virtually all of the Company’s sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 were from the firearms segment, with approximately 1% from the castings segment. Export sales represent approximately 4% of firearms sales. The Company’s design and manufacturing operations are located in the United States and almost all product content is domestic.

The Company has been in business since 1949 and was incorporated in its present form under the laws of Delaware in 1969. The Company primarily offers products in three industry product categories – rifles, pistols, and revolvers. The Company’s firearms are sold through independent wholesale distributors, principally to the commercial sporting market.

The Company manufactures and sells investment castings made from steel alloys and metal injection molding (“MIM”) parts for internal use in the firearms segment and has minimal sales to outside customers. The castings and MIM parts sold to outside customers, either directly or through manufacturers’ representatives, represented approximately 1% of the Company’s total sales for the year ended December 31, 2017.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, net sales attributable to the Company's firearms operations were $517.7 million, $658.4 million and $544.9 million. The balance of the Company's net sales for the aforementioned periods was attributable to its castings operations.

Firearms Products

The Company presently manufactures firearm products, under the “Ruger” name and trademark, in the following industry categories:

Most firearms are available in several models based upon caliber, finish, barrel length, and other features.

Rifles

A rifle is a long gun with spiral grooves cut into the interior of the barrel to give the bullet a stabilizing spin after it leaves the barrel. Net sales of rifles by the Company accounted for $243.0 million, $264.9 million, and $208.5 million of total net sales for the years 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Pistols

A pistol is a handgun in which the ammunition chamber is an integral part of the barrel and which typically is fed ammunition from a magazine contained in the grip. Net sales of pistols by the Company accounted for $176.2 million, $250.0 million, and $192.2 million of revenues for the years 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Revolvers

A revolver is a handgun that has a cylinder that holds the ammunition in a series of chambers which are successively aligned with the barrel of the gun during each firing cycle. There are two general types of revolvers, single-action and double-action. To fire a single-action revolver, the hammer is pulled back to cock the gun and align the cylinder before the trigger is pulled. To fire a double-action revolver, a single trigger pull advances the cylinder and cocks and releases the hammer. Net sales of revolvers by the Company accounted for $74.6 million, $104.9 million, and $113.3 million of revenues for the years 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Accessories

The Company also manufactures and sells accessories and replacement parts for its firearms. These sales accounted for $23.9 million, $38.6 million, and $30.3 million of total net sales for the years 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Castings Products

Net sales attributable to the Company’s casting operations (excluding intercompany transactions) accounted for $4.6 million, $5.9 million, and $6.2 million, for 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. These sales represented approximately 1% of total net sales in each of these years.

Manufacturing

Firearms

The Company produces one model of pistol, all of its revolvers and most of its rifles at the Newport, New Hampshire facility. Most of the Company’s pistols are produced at the Prescott, Arizona facility. Some rifle models and two pistol models are produced at the Mayodan, North Carolina facility.

Many of the basic metal component parts of the firearms manufactured by the Company are produced by the Company's castings segment through processes known as precision investment casting. The Company also uses many MIM parts in its firearms. See "Manufacturing- Investment Castings and Metal Injected Moldings" below for a description of these processes. The Company believes that investment castings and MIM parts provide greater design flexibility and result in component parts which are generally close to their ultimate shape and, therefore, require less machining than processes requiring machining a solid billet of metal to obtain a part.

Through the use of investment castings and MIM parts, the Company endeavors to produce durable and less costly component parts for its firearms.

All assembly, inspection, and testing of firearms manufactured by the Company are performed at the Company's manufacturing facilities. Every firearm, including every chamber of every revolver manufactured by the Company, is test-fired prior to shipment.

Investment Castings and Metal Injection Moldings

To produce a product by the investment casting method, a wax model of the part is created and coated (“invested”) with several layers of ceramic material. The shell is then heated to melt the interior wax, which is poured off, leaving a hollow mold. To cast the desired part, molten metal is poured into the mold and allowed to cool and solidify. The mold is then broken off to reveal a near net shape cast metal part.

Metal injection molding is a three part powder metallurgy process by which a feedstock consisting of finely powdered metal and binders is processed through injection molding, debinding, and sintering equipment to produce steel, stainless steel, and alloy parts of complex shape and geometry.  This process allows for high volume production while eliminating many of the wastes of traditional metal working methods, yielding net shape and near net shape parts.

Marketing and Distribution

Firearms

The Company's firearms are primarily marketed through a network of federally licensed, independent wholesale distributors who purchase the products directly from the Company. They resell to federally licensed, independent retail firearms dealers who in turn resell to legally authorized end users. All retail purchasers are subject to a point-of-sale background check by law enforcement. These end users include sportsmen, hunters, people interested in self-defense, law enforcement and other governmental organizations, and gun collectors. Each distributor carries the entire line of firearms manufactured by the Company for the commercial market. Currently, 19 distributors service the domestic commercial market, with an additional 23 distributors servicing the domestic law enforcement market and 41 distributors servicing the export market.

In 2017, the Company’s largest customers and the percent of total sales they represented were as follows: Davidson’s-21%; Lipsey’s-18%; Sports South-13%; and Jerry’s/Ellett Brothers-12%.

In 2016, the Company’s largest customers and the percent of total sales they represented were as follows: Davidson’s-19%; Lipsey’s-17%; Jerry’s/Ellett Brothers-15%; and Sports South-14%.

In 2015, the Company’s largest customers and the percent of total sales they represented were as follows: Davidson’s-18%; Lipsey’s-17%; Sports South-13%, and Jerry’s/Ellett Brothers-11%.

The Company employs 14 employees who service these distributors and call on retailers and law enforcement agencies. Because the ultimate demand for the Company's firearms comes from end users rather than from the independent wholesale distributors, the Company believes that the

loss of any distributor would not have a material, long-term adverse effect on the Company, but may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results for a particular period. The Company considers its relationships with its distributors to be satisfactory.

The Company also exports its firearms through a network of selected commercial distributors and directly to certain foreign customers, consisting primarily of law enforcement agencies and foreign governments. Foreign sales were less than 5% of the Company's consolidated net sales for each of the past three fiscal years.

The Company does not consider its overall firearms business to be predictably seasonal; however, orders of many models of firearms from the distributors tend to be stronger in the first quarter of the year and weaker in the third quarter of the year. This is due in part to the timing of the distributor show season, which occurs during the first quarter.

Investment Castings and Metal Injection Moldings

The castings segment provides castings and MIM parts for the Company’s firearms segment. In addition, the castings segment produces some products for a number of customers in a variety of industries.

Competition

Firearms

Competition in the firearms industry is intense and comes from both foreign and domestic manufacturers. While some of these competitors concentrate on a single industry product category such as rifles or pistols, several competitors manufacture products in all four industry categories (rifles, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers). The principal methods of competition in the industry are product innovation, quality, availability, brand, and price. The Company believes that it can compete effectively with all of its present competitors.

Investment Castings and Metal Injection Moldings

There are a large number of investment castings and MIM manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, with which the Company competes. Competition varies based on the type of investment castings products and the end use of the product. Companies offering alternative methods of manufacturing such as wire electric discharge machining (EDM) and advancements in computer numeric controlled (CNC) machining also compete with the Company’s castings segment. Many of these competitors are larger corporations than the Company with substantially greater financial resources than the Company, which could affect the Company’s ability to compete with these competitors. The principal methods of competition in the industry are quality, price, and production lead time.

Employees

As of February 1, 2018, the Company employed approximately 1,750 full-time employees, approximately 27% of whom had at least ten years of service with the Company. From time to time, the Company uses temporary employees to supplement its workforce. As of February 1, 2018, the Company had no temporary employees.

None of the Company's employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement.

Research and Development

In 2017, 2016, and 2015, the Company spent approximately $9.8 million, $8.7 million, and $8.5 million, respectively, on research and development activities relating to new products and the improvement of existing products. As of February 1, 2018, the Company had approximately 70 employees whose primary responsibilities were research and development activities.

Patents and Trademarks

The Company owns various United States and foreign patents and trademarks which have been secured over a period of years and which expire at various times. It is the policy of the Company to apply for patents and trademarks whenever new products or processes deemed commercially valuable are developed or marketed by the Company. However, none of these patents and trademarks are considered to be fundamental to any important product or manufacturing process of the Company and, although the Company deems its patents and trademarks to be of value, it does not consider its business materially dependent on patent or trademark protection.

Environmental Matters

The Company is committed to achieving high standards of environmental quality and product safety, and strives to provide a safe and healthy workplace for its employees and others in the communities in which it operates. The Company has programs in place that monitor compliance with various environmental regulations. However, in the normal course of its manufacturing operations the Company is subject to governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to waste disposal, air emissions, and water discharges into the environment. These regulations are integrated into the Company’s manufacturing, assembly, and testing processes. The Company believes that it is generally in compliance with applicable environmental regulations and that the outcome of any environmental proceedings and orders will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company, but could have a material adverse effect on the financial results for a particular period.

Executive Officers of the Company

Set forth below are the names, ages, and positions of the executive officers of the Company. Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company.

Christopher J. Killoy became President & Chief Executive Officer on May 9, 2017. Previously he served as President and Chief Operating Officer since January 1, 2014. Prior to that he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing since November 27, 2006. Mr. Killoy originally joined the Company in 2003 as Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, and subsequently served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing from November 1, 2004 to January 25, 2005.

Thomas A. Dineen became Senior Vice President on July 10, 2017. Previously he served as Vice President since May 24, 2006. Prior to that he served as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since May 6, 2003 and had been Assistant Controller since 2001. Mr. Dineen joined the Company as Manager, Corporate Accounting in 1997.

Thomas P. Sullivan became Senior Vice President of Operations on July 1, 2017. Mr. Sullivan joined the Company as Vice President of Newport Operations for the Newport, New Hampshire Firearms and Pine Tree Castings divisions on August 14, 2006.

Kevin B. Reid, Sr. became Vice President and General Counsel on April 23, 2008. Previously he served as the Company’s Director of Marketing from June 4, 2007. Mr. Reid joined the Company in July 2001 as an Assistant General Counsel.

Shawn C. Leska became Vice President, Sales on November 6, 2015. Mr. Leska joined the Company in 1989 and has served in a variety of positions in the sales department. Most recently, Mr. Leska served as Director of Sales since 2011.

Where You Can Find More Information

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and accordingly, files its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Definitive Proxy Statements, Current Reports on Form 8-K,

and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The public may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. As an electronic filer, the Company's public filings are maintained on the SEC's Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.

The Company makes its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Definitive Proxy Statements, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act accessible free of charge through the Company's Internet site after the Company has electronically filed such material with, or furnished it to, the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.ruger.com. However, such reports may not be accessible through the Company's website as promptly as they are accessible on the SEC’s website.

Additionally, the Company’s corporate governance materials, including its Corporate Governance Guidelines, the charters of the Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Risk Oversight committees, and the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may also be found under the “Investor Relations” subsection of the “Corporate” section of the Company’s Internet site at http://www.ruger.com/corporate. A copy of the foregoing corporate governance materials is available upon written request to the Corporate Secretary at Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., 1 Lacey Place, Southport, Connecticut 06890.

ITEM 1A—RISK FACTORS

The Company’s operations could be affected by various risks, many of which are beyond its control. Based on current information, the Company believes that the following identifies the most significant risk factors that could adversely affect its business. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

In evaluating the Company’s business, the following risk factors, as well as other information in this report, should be carefully considered.

Changes in government policies and firearms legislation could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The sale, purchase, ownership, and use of firearms are subject to thousands of federal, state and local governmental regulations. The basic federal laws are the National Firearms Act, the Federal Firearms Act, and the Gun Control Act of 1968. These laws generally prohibit the private ownership of fully automatic weapons and place certain restrictions on the interstate sale of firearms unless certain licenses are obtained. The Company does not manufacture fully automatic weapons and holds all necessary licenses under these federal laws. Several states currently have laws in effect similar to the aforementioned legislation.

In 2005, Congress enacted the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (“PLCAA”). The PLCAA was enacted to address abuses by cities and agenda-driven individuals who wrongly sought to make firearms manufacturers liable for legally manufactured and lawfully sold products if those products were later used in criminal acts. The Company believes the PLCAA merely codifies common sense and long standing tort principles. If the PLCAA is repealed or efforts to circumvent it are successful and lawsuits similar to those filed by cities and agenda-driven individuals in the late 1990s and early 2000s are allowed to proceed, it could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

Currently, federal and several states’ legislatures are considering additional legislation relating to the regulation of firearms. These proposed bills are extremely varied, but many seek either to restrict or ban the sale and, in some cases, the ownership of various types of firearms. Other legislation seeks to require new technologies, such as microstamping and so-called “smart gun” technology, that are not proven, reliable or feasible. Such legislation became effective in California in 2013, and has limited our ability to sell certain products in California. If similar legislation is enacted in other states, it could effectively ban or severely limit the sale of affected firearms. There also are legislative proposals to limit magazine capacity.

The Company believes that the lawful private ownership of firearms is guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and that the widespread private ownership of firearms in the United States will continue. However, there can be no assurance that the regulation of firearms will not become more restrictive in the future and that any such restriction would not have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company.

The Company’s results of operations could be further adversely affected if legislation with diverse requirements is enacted.

With literally thousands of laws being proposed at the federal, state and local levels, if even a small percentage of these laws are enacted and they are incongruent, the Company could find it difficult, expensive or even practically impossible to comply with them, impeding new product development and distribution of existing products.

The Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by litigation.

The Company faces risks arising from various asserted and unasserted litigation matters. These matters include, but are not limited to, assertions of allegedly defective product design or manufacture, alleged failure to warn, purported class actions against firearms manufacturers, generally seeking relief such as medical expense reimbursement, property damages, and punitive damages arising from accidents involving firearms or the criminal misuse of firearms, and those lawsuits filed on behalf of municipalities alleging harm to the general public. Various factors or developments can lead to changes in current estimates of liabilities such as final adverse judgment, significant settlement or changes in applicable law. A future adverse outcome in any one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results. See Note 17 to the financial statements which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our insurance may be insufficient to protect us from claims or losses.

We maintain insurance coverage with third-party insurers. However, not every risk or liability is or can be protected by insurance, and, for those risks we insure, the limits of coverage we purchase or that are reasonably obtainable in the market may not be sufficient to cover all actual losses or liabilities incurred. Moreover, there is a risk that commercially available liability insurance will not continue to be available to us at a reasonable cost, if at all. If liability claims or losses exceed our current or available insurance coverage, our business and prospects may be harmed.

The Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by a decrease in demand for Company products.

If demand for the Company’s products decreases significantly, the Company would be unable to efficiently utilize its capacity, and profitability would suffer. Decreased demand could result from a macroeconomic downturn, or could be specific to the firearms industry. If the decrease in demand occurs abruptly, the adverse impact would be even greater.

The financial health of our independent distributors is critical to our success.

Over 90% of our sales are made to 19 federally licensed, independent wholesale distributors. We review our distributors’ financial statements and have credit insurance for many of them. However, our credit evaluations of distributors and credit insurance may not be completely effective, especially if an interest rate increase exacts an additional financial strain.

If one or more independent distributors experience financial distress or liquidity issues, we may not be able to collect our accounts receivable on a timely basis, which would have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.

The Company must comply with various laws and regulations pertaining to workplace safety and environment, environmental matters, and firearms manufacture.

In the normal course of its manufacturing operations, the Company is subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and governmental regulations, and governmental proceedings and orders. These laws and regulations pertain to matters like workplace safety and environment, firearms serial number tracking and control, waste disposal, air emissions and water discharges into the environment. Noncompliance with any one or more of these laws and regulations could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

Misconduct of our employees or contractors could cause us to lose customers and could have a significant adverse impact on our business and reputation.

Misconduct, fraud or other improper activities by our employees or contractors could have a material adverse impact on our business and reputation. Such misconduct could include the failure to comply with federal, state, local or foreign government procurement regulations, regulations regarding the protection of personal information, laws and regulations relating to antitrust and any other applicable laws or regulations.

Business disruptions at one of the Company’s manufacturing facilities could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The Newport, New Hampshire, Prescott, Arizona and Mayodan, North Carolina facilities are critical to the Company’s success. These facilities house the Company’s principal production, research, development, engineering, design, and shipping operations. Any event that causes a disruption of the operation of any of these facilities for even a relatively short period of time could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to produce and ship products and to provide service to its customers.

We rely on our information and communications systems in our operations. Security breaches and other disruptions could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Cyber-security threats are significant and evolving and include, among others, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in mission critical systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and corruption of data. In addition to security threats, we are also subject to other systems failures, including network, software or hardware failures, whether caused by us, third-party service providers, natural disasters, power shortages, terrorist attacks or other events. The unavailability of our information or communications systems, the failure of these systems to perform as anticipated or any significant breach of data security could cause loss of data, disrupt our operations, lead to financial losses from remedial actions, require significant management attention and resources, and negatively impact our reputation among our customers and the public, which could have a negative impact on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Price increases for raw materials could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

Third parties supply the Company with various raw materials for its firearms and castings, such as fabricated steel components, walnut, birch, beech, maple and laminated lumber for rifle stocks, wax, ceramic material, metal alloys, various synthetic products and other component parts. There is a limited supply of these materials in the marketplace at any given time, which can cause the purchase prices to vary based upon numerous market factors. The Company believes that it has adequate quantities of raw materials in inventory or on order to provide ample time to locate and obtain additional items at then-current market cost without interruption of its manufacturing operations. However, if market conditions result in a significant prolonged inflation of certain prices or if adequate quantities of raw materials cannot be obtained, the Company’s manufacturing processes could be interrupted and the Company’s financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Retention of key management is critical to the success of the Company.

We rely on the management and leadership skills of our senior management team. Our senior executives are not bound by employment agreements. The loss of the services of one or more of our senior executives or other key personnel could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

ITEM 1B—UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2—PROPERTIES

The Company’s manufacturing operations are carried out at four facilities. The following table sets forth certain information regarding each of these facilities:

Each firearms facility contains enclosed ranges for testing firearms. The lease of the Prescott facility provides for rental payments which are approximately equivalent to estimated rates for real property taxes.

The Company has other facilities that were not used in its manufacturing operations in 2017:

There are no mortgages or any other major encumbrance on any of the real estate owned by the Company.

The Company’s principal executive offices are located in Southport, Connecticut.

ITEM 3—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The nature of the legal proceedings against the Company is discussed at Note 17 to the financial statements, which are included in this Form 10-K.

The Company has reported all cases instituted against it through September 30, 2017, and the results of those cases, where terminated, to the SEC on its previous Form 10-Q and 10-K reports, to which reference is hereby made.

One lawsuit was formally instituted against the Company during the three months ending December 31, 2017, captioned as David S. Palmer, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated vs. Sturm, Ruger & Co., and filed in the Circuit Court for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County, Florida. The suit alleges breach of warranty and deceptive trade practices related to the sale of 10/22 Target Rifles.

During the three months ending December 31, 2017, the previously reported case of Terry W. Turner v. Sturm, Ruger & Company., Inc. and Winchester Ammunition, Inc. was dismissed, with prejudice.

ITEM 4—MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES – NOT APPLICABLE

PART II

ITEM 5—MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RGR.” At February 9, 2018, the Company had 1,662 stockholders of record.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the Company’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange and dividends paid on the Company’s common stock.

Issuer Repurchase of Equity Securities

In 2017, 2016, and 2015 the Company repurchased shares of its common stock. Details of these purchases are as follows:

All of these purchases were made with cash held by the Company and no debt was incurred.

At December 31, 2017 approximately $31 million remained authorized for share repurchases.

Assumes $100 invested at the close of trading 12/12 in Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. common stock, Standard & Poor’s 500, Recreation, and Russell 2000 Index.

* Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.

Source: Value Line Publishing LLC

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides information regarding compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2017:

ITEM 6—SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

ITEM 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Company Overview

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is principally engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of firearms to domestic customers. Approximately 99% of sales are from firearms. Export sales represent approximately 4% of total sales. The Company’s design and manufacturing operations are located in the United States and almost all product content is domestic. The Company’s firearms are sold through a select number of independent wholesale distributors, principally to the commercial sporting market.

The Company also manufactures investment castings made from steel alloys and metal injection molding (“MIM”) parts for internal use in its firearms and for sale to unaffiliated, third-party customers. Approximately 1% of sales are from the castings segment.

Orders of many models of firearms from the independent distributors tend to be stronger in the first quarter of the year and weaker in the third quarter of the year. This is due in part to the timing of the distributor show season, which occurs during the first quarter.

Results of Operations - 2017

Product Demand

The estimated sell-through of the Company’s products from the independent distributors to retailers decreased 17% in 2017 from 2016. For the same period, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks (as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (“NSSF”)) decreased 11%. The decrease in estimated sell-through of the Company’s products from the independent distributors to retailers is attributable to:

New products represented $137.8 million or 27% of firearms sales in 2017, compared to $192.6 million or 29% of firearms sales in 2016. New product sales include only major new products that were introduced in the past two years. In 2017, new products included the Precision Rifle, the Mark IV pistols, the LCP II pistol, and the American pistol. In December 2017, the Company introduced the Pistol Caliber Carbine, the Security 9 pistol, and the EC9s pistol. Due to the timing of these launches, they had only a minimal impact on the 2017 financial results.

Estimated sell-through from distributors to retailers and total adjusted NICS background checks:

The adjusted NICS data presented above was derived by the NSSF by subtracting NICS checks that are not directly related to the sale of a firearm, including checks used for concealed carry (“CCW”) permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases.

Orders Received and Ending Backlog

The Company uses the estimated unit sell-through of our products from the independent distributors to retailers, along with inventory levels at the independent distributors and at the Company, as the key metrics for planning production levels.

Orders Received in 2017 decreased 44% from 2016. Our ending order backlog of 254,900 units at December 31, 2017 decreased 366,500 units from backlog of 621,400 units at December 31, 2016.

The units ordered, value of orders received and ending backlog, net of Federal Excise Tax, for the trailing three years are as follows (dollars in millions, except average sales price):

Production

The Company reviews the estimated sell-through from the independent distributors to retailers, as well as inventory levels at the independent distributors and at the Company, semi-monthly to plan production levels and manage increases in inventory. These reviews resulted in a decrease in total unit production of 24% in 2017 compared to 2016.

Annual Summary Unit Data

Firearms unit data for orders, production, and shipments follows:

Inventories

The Company’s finished goods inventory decreased by 54,500 units during 2017.

Distributor inventories of the Company’s products increased by 2,000 units during 2017 and approximate a reasonable level to support rapid fulfillment of retailer demand.

Inventory data follows:

Year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to year ended December 31, 2016:

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales were $522.3 million in 2017. This represents a decrease of $142.0 million or 21.4% from 2016 consolidated net sales of $664.3 million.

Firearms segment net sales were $517.7 million in 2017. This represents a decrease of $140.7 million or 21.4% from 2016 firearms net sales of $658.4 million. Firearms unit shipments decreased 19.0% in 2017.

Casting segment net sales were $4.6 million in 2017. This represents a decrease of $1.3 million or 22.7% from 2016 casting sales of $5.9 million.

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit

Consolidated cost of products sold was $368.2 million in 2017. This represents a decrease of $76.6 million or 17.2% from 2016 consolidated cost of products sold of $444.8 million.

The gross margin was 29.5% in 2017. This represents a decrease from 33.0% in 2016 as illustrated below:

(in thousands)

Cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory, product liability, and product recall- In 2017, cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory, product liability increased 3.9% as a percentage of sales compared to 2016. This decreased profitability is attributable to the decrease in sales which resulted in unfavorable de-leveraging of fixed manufacturing costs, including depreciation and indirect labor.

LIFO- Gross inventories decreased by $11.8 million in 2017 and increased $18.1 million in 2016. In 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized LIFO expense of $2.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, which increased cost of products sold.

Overhead Rate Change- The net impact on inventory in 2017 and 2016 from the change in the overhead rates used to absorb overhead expenses into inventory was an increase of $4.4 million and a decrease of $0.5 million, respectively, reflecting decreased overhead efficiency in 2017 and increased overhead efficiency in 2016. The increase in inventory value in 2017 resulted in a corresponding decrease to cost of products sold and the decrease in inventory value in 2016 resulted in a corresponding increase to cost of products sold.

Labor Rate Adjustments- In 2017, the change in inventory value resulting from the change in the labor rates used to absorb labor expenses into inventory was an increase of $0.4 million, reflecting decreased labor efficiency. This increase in inventory value resulted in a corresponding decrease to cost of products sold. In 2016, the change in inventory value resulting from the change in the labor rates used to absorb labor expenses into inventory was de minimis.

Product Liability- This expense includes the cost of outside legal fees, insurance, and other expenses incurred in the management and defense of product liability matters. These costs totaled $0.4 million and $2.1 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. See Note 17 in the notes to the financial statements “Contingent Liabilities” for further discussion of the Company’s product liability.

Product Recall – In June 2017, the Company discovered that Mark IV pistols manufactured prior to June 1, 2017 had the potential to discharge unintentionally if the safety was not utilized correctly. The Company recalled all Mark IV pistols and recorded a $2.5 million expense in the second quarter, which is the expected total cost of the recall. No such expense was recorded in the prior year.

Gross Profit- Gross profit was $154.0 million or 29.5% of sales in 2017. This is a decrease of $65.6 million from 2016 gross profit of $219.6 million or 33.0% of sales in 2016.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $77.6 million in 2017, a decrease of $7.5 million from $85.1 million in 2016, and an increase from 12.8% of sales in 2016 to 14.9% of sales in 2017. The decrease is primarily attributable to the absence of the “2.5 Million Gun Challenge” and the “Ruger $5 Million Match Challenge”, both of which were in effect in 2016. The decrease was partially offset by increased firearms promotional activities in 2017.

Other Operating Income, net

Other operating income, net was de minimis in 2017 and 2016.

Operating Income

Operating income was $76.3 million or 14.6% of sales in 2017. This is a decrease of $58.1 million from 2016 operating income of $134.4 million or 20.2% of sales.

Royalty Income

Royalty income was $0.5 million in 2017 and $1.1 million in 2016.

Interest Income and Interest Expense

Interest income and interest expense were negligible in 2017 and 2016.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net was $0.9 million in 2017, an increase of $0.4 million from income of $0.5 million in 2016.

Income Taxes and Net Income

The effective income tax rate was 32.8% in 2017 and 35.6% in 2016. The decrease in the effective tax rate in 2017 is primarily attributable to:

The effective tax rate is expected to decrease to 24.5% in 2018 principally due to the “2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” which reduces the Federal corporate income tax rate to 21% beginning in 2018.

As a result of the foregoing factors, consolidated net income was $52.1 million in 2017. This represents a decrease of $35.4 million from 2016 consolidated net income of $87.5 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding its results, the Company refers to various United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measures and one non-GAAP financial measure, EBITDA, which management believes provides useful information to investors. This non-GAAP measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures being disclosed by other companies. In addition, the Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measure should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that EBITDA is useful to understanding its operating results and the ongoing performance of its underlying business, as EBITDA provides information on the Company’s ability to meet its capital expenditure and working capital requirements, and is also an indicator of profitability. The Company believes that this reporting provides better transparency and comparability to its operating results. The Company uses both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company’s financial performance.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation – EBITDA

EBITDA

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. The Company calculates this by adding the amount of interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization expenses that have been deducted from net income back into net income, and subtracting the amount of interest income that was included in net income from net income to arrive at EBITDA. The Company’s EBITDA calculation also excludes any one-time non-cash, non-operating expense.

Quarterly Data

To supplement the summary annual unit data and discussion above, the same data for the last eight quarters follows:

(in millions except average sales price, net of Federal Excise Tax)

Fourth Quarter Gross Profit Analysis

The gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016 was 28.0% and 33.1%, respectively. Details of the gross margin are illustrated below:

(in thousands)

Note: For a discussion of the captions in the above table, please see the “Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit” discussion above.

Results of Operations - 2016

Year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to year ended December 31, 2015:

Annual Summary Unit Data

Firearms unit data for orders, production, shipments and ending inventory, and castings setups (a measure of foundry production) are as follows:

Orders Received and Ending Backlog

(in millions except average sales price, net of Federal Excise Tax):

Product Demand

The estimated sell-through of the Company’s products from the independent distributors to retailers increased 12% in 2016 from 2015. For the same period, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks (as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (“NSSF”)) increased 10%. The increase in estimated sell-through of the Company’s products from the independent distributors to retailers is attributable to:

New products represented $192.6 million or 29% of firearms sales in 2016, compared to $115.4 million or 21% of firearms sales in 2015. New product sales include only major new products that were introduced in the past two years. In 2016, new products included the Precision Rifle, the AR-556 modern sporting rifle, the LC9s pistol, the Mark IV pistols, the LCP II pistol, and the American pistol. The AR-556 and the LC9s pistol will not be considered new products in 2017.

Estimated sell-through from distributors to retailers and total adjusted NICS background checks:

The adjusted NICS data presented above was derived by the NSSF by subtracting NICS checks that are not directly related to the sale of a firearm, including checks used for concealed carry (“CCW”) permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases.

Production

The Company reviews the estimated sell-through from the independent distributors to retailers, as well as inventory levels at the independent distributors and at the Company, semi-monthly to plan production levels and manage increases in inventory. These reviews and increased production capacity of products in strong demand resulted in an increase in total unit production of 23.5% in 2016 compared to 2015.

Inventories

The Company’s finished goods inventory increased by 70,000 units during 2016.

Distributor inventories of the Company’s products increased by 48,300 units during 2016 and approximate a reasonable level to support rapid fulfillment of retailer demand.

Inventory data follows:

Quarterly Summary Unit Data

To supplement the summary annual unit data and discussion above, the same data for the last eight quarters follows:

(in millions except average sales price, net of Federal Excise Tax)

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales were $664.3 million in 2016. This represents an increase of $113.2 million or 20.5% from 2015 consolidated net sales of $551.1 million.

Firearms segment net sales were $658.4 million in 2016. This represents an increase of $113.5 million or 20.8% from 2015 firearms net sales of $544.9 million. Firearms unit shipments increased 18.3% in 2016.

Casting segment net sales were $5.9 million in 2016. This represents a decrease of $0.3 million or 5.6% from 2015 casting sales of $6.2 million.

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit

Consolidated cost of products sold was $444.8 million in 2016. This represents an increase of $65.9 million or 17.4% from 2015 consolidated cost of products sold of $378.9 million.

The gross margin was 33.0% in 2016. This represents an increase from 31.2% in 2015 as illustrated below:

(in thousands)

Cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory, and product liability- In 2016, cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory, and product liability decreased 1.8% as a percentage of sales compared to 2015. This increased profitability is attributable to increased volume and improved productivity.

LIFO- Gross inventories increased by $18.1 million in 2016 and decreased $7.7 million in 2015. In 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized LIFO expense of $0.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively, which increased cost of products sold.

Overhead Rate Change- The net impact on inventory in 2016 and 2015 from the change in the overhead rates used to absorb overhead expenses into inventory was a decrease of $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, reflecting increased overhead efficiency. This decrease in inventory value resulted in a corresponding increase to cost of products sold in 2016 and 2015.

Labor Rate Adjustments- In 2016, the change in inventory value resulting from the change in the labor rates used to absorb labor expenses into inventory was de minimis. In 2015, the change in inventory value resulting from the change in the labor rates used to absorb labor expenses into inventory was a decrease of $0.1 million, reflecting increased labor efficiency. This decrease in inventory value resulted in a corresponding increase to cost of products sold.

Product Liability- This expense includes the cost of outside legal fees, insurance, and other expenses incurred in the management and defense of product liability matters. These costs totaled $2.1 million and $0.9 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 17 in the notes to the financial statements “Contingent Liabilities” for further discussion of the Company’s product liability.

Gross Profit- Gross profit was $219.6 million or 33.0% of sales in 2016. This is an increase of $47.4 million from 2015 gross profit of $172.2 million or 31.2% of sales in 2015.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $85.1 million in 2016, an increase of $7.4 million from $77.7 million in 2015, and a decrease from 14.1% of sales in 2015 to 12.8% of sales in 2016. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily attributable to increased promotional selling expenses, including the “Ruger $5 Million Match Challenge” and the “2.5 Million Gun Challenge” in 2016.

Other Operating Income, net

Other operating income, net consists of the following (in thousands):

Operating Income

Operating income was $134.4 million or 20.2% of sales in 2016. This is an increase of $39.9 million from 2015 operating income of $94.5 million or 17.2% of sales.

Royalty Income

Royalty income was $1.1 million in 2016 and 2015.

Interest Income and Interest Expense

Interest income and interest expense were negligible in 2016 and 2015.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net was income of $0.5 million in 2016, a decrease of $0.1 million from income of $0.6 million in 2015.

Income Taxes and Net Income

The effective income tax rate was 35.6% in 2016 and 35.4% in 2015. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to a decrease in the domestic production activities deduction in 2016 compared to 2015.

As a result of the foregoing factors, consolidated net income was $87.5 million in 2016. This represents an increase of $25.4 million from 2015 consolidated net income of $62.1 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding its results, the Company refers to various United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measures and one non-GAAP financial measure, EBITDA, which management believes provides useful information to investors. This non-GAAP measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures being disclosed by other companies. In addition, the Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measure should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that EBITDA is useful to understanding its operating results and the ongoing performance of its underlying business, as EBITDA provides information on the Company’s ability to meet its capital expenditure and working capital requirements, and is also an indicator of profitability. The Company believes that this reporting provides better transparency and comparability to its operating results. The Company uses both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company’s financial performance.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation – EBITDA

EBITDA

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. The Company calculates this by adding the amount of interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization expenses that have been deducted from net income back into net income, and subtracting the amount of interest income that was included in net income from net income to arrive at EBITDA. The Company’s EBITDA calculation also excludes any one-time non-cash, non-operating expense.

Financial Condition

Liquidity

At December 31, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $63.5 million. Our pre-LIFO working capital of $159.3 million, less the LIFO reserve of $45.2 million, resulted in working capital of $114.1 million and a current ratio of 3.2 to 1.

Operations

Cash provided by operating activities was $101.2 million, $104.8 million, and $112.6 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The decrease in cash provided in 2017 compared to 2016 is attributable to decreased profitability, partially offset by a decrease in inventories in 2017 and an increase in inventories in 2016 and other working capital fluctuations.

The decrease in cash provided in 2016 compared to 2015 is attributable to an increase in inventory in 2016 compared to a decrease in 2015, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable in 2016 compared to an increase in 2015, and increased profitability in 2015.

Third parties supply the Company with various raw materials for its firearms and castings, such as fabricated steel components, walnut, birch, beech, maple and laminated lumber for rifle stocks, wax, ceramic material, metal alloys, various synthetic products and other component parts. There is a limited supply of these materials in the marketplace at any given time, which can cause the purchase prices to vary based upon numerous market factors. The Company believes that it has adequate quantities of raw materials in inventory or on order to provide sufficient time to locate and obtain additional items at then-current market cost without interruption of its manufacturing operations. However, if market conditions result in a significant prolonged inflation of certain prices or if adequate quantities of raw materials cannot be obtained, the Company’s manufacturing processes could be interrupted and the Company’s financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Investing and Financing

Capital expenditures were $33.6 million, $35.2 million, and $28.7 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. In 2018, the Company expects capital expenditures to approximate $15 million, much of which will relate to tooling and fixtures for new product introductions and to upgrade and modernize manufacturing equipment. Due to market conditions and business circumstances, actual capital expenditures could vary significantly from the budgeted amount. The Company finances, and intends to continue to finance, all of these activities with funds provided by operations and current cash.

In 2017, the Company repurchased 1,319,708 shares of its common stock for $64.8 million in the open market. The average price per share purchased was $49.14. These purchases were funded with cash on hand. In 2016, the Company repurchased 283,343 shares of its common stock for $14.0 million in the open market. The average price per share purchased was $49.43. These purchases were funded with cash on hand. In 2015, the Company repurchased 82,100 shares of

its common stock for $2.8 million in the open market. The average price per share purchased was $34.57. These purchases were made with cash held by the Company and no debt was incurred.

At December 31, 2017, $30.7 million remained authorized for future share repurchases.

The Company paid dividends totaling $23.9 million, $32.8 million, and $20.6 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The dividend varies every quarter because the Company pays a percentage of earnings rather than a fixed amount per share. The Company’s practice is to pay a dividend of approximately 40% of net income.

On February 16, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a dividend of 23¢ per share to shareholders of record on March 15, 2018. The payment of future dividends depends on many factors, including internal estimates of future performance, then-current cash, and the Company’s need for funds.

The Company provides supplemental discretionary contributions to substantially all employees’ individual 401(k) accounts.

Based on its unencumbered assets, the Company believes it has the ability to raise cash through issuance of short-term or long-term debt. The Company’s unsecured $40 million credit facility, which expires on June 15, 2018, remained unused at December 31, 2017 and the Company has no debt.

Contractual Obligations

The table below summarizes the Company’s significant contractual obligations at December 31, 2017, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on the Company’s liquidity and cash flows in future periods. This table excludes amounts already recorded on the Company’s balance sheet as current liabilities at December 31, 2017.

“Purchase Obligations” as used in the below table includes all agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on the Company and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Certain of the Company’s purchase orders or contracts for the purchase of raw materials and other goods and services that may not necessarily be enforceable or legally binding on the Company are also included in “Purchase Obligations” in the table, and, therefore, certain of the Company’s purchase orders or contracts included in the table may represent authorizations to purchase rather than legally binding agreements. The Company expects to fund all of these commitments with cash flows from operations and current cash.

The expected timing of payment of the obligations discussed above is estimated based on current information. Timing of payments and actual amounts paid may be different depending on the time of receipt of goods or services or changes to agreed-upon amounts for some obligations.

Firearms Legislation and Litigation

See Item 1A - Risk Factors and Note 17 to the financial statements which are included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of firearms legislation and litigation.

Other Operational Matters

In the normal course of its manufacturing operations, the Company is subject to occasional governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to workplace safety, firearms serial number tracking and control, waste disposal, air emissions and water discharges into the environment. The Company believes that it is generally in compliance with applicable Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, environmental, and safety regulations and the outcome of any proceedings or orders will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

The Company self-insures a significant amount of its product liability, workers’ compensation, medical, and other insurance. It also carries significant deductible amounts on various insurance policies.

The Company expects to realize its deferred tax assets through tax deductions against future taxable income.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make assumptions and estimates that

affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and net sales and expenses recognized and incurred during the reporting period then ended. The Company bases estimates on prior experience, facts and circumstances, and other assumptions, including those reviewed with actuarial consultants and independent counsel, when applicable, that are believed to be reasonable. However, actual results may differ from these estimates.

The Company believes the determination of its product liability accrual is a critical accounting policy. The Company’s management reviews every lawsuit and claim and is in contact with independent and corporate counsel on an ongoing basis. The provision for product liability claims is based upon many factors, which vary for each case. These factors include the type of claim, nature and extent of injuries, historical settlement ranges, jurisdiction where filed, and advice of counsel. An accrual is established for each lawsuit and claim, when appropriate, based on the nature of each such lawsuit or claim.

Amounts are charged to product liability expense in the period in which the Company becomes aware that a claim or, in some instances a threat of a claim, has been made when potential losses or costs of defense are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such amounts are determined based on the Company’s experience in defending similar claims. Occasionally, charges are made for claims made in prior periods because the cumulative actual costs incurred for that claim, or reasonably expected to be incurred in the future, exceed amounts already provided with respect to such claims. Likewise, credits may be taken if cumulative actual costs incurred for that claim, or reasonably expected to be incurred in the future, are less than amounts previously provided.

While it is not possible to forecast the outcome of litigation or the timing of related costs, in the opinion of management, after consultation with independent and corporate counsel, there is a remote likelihood that litigation, including punitive damage claims, will have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company, but such litigation may have a material impact on the Company’s financial results for a particular period.

The Company believes the valuation of its inventory and the related excess and obsolescence reserve is also a critical accounting policy. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost, principally determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and prevailing inventory costs existing at that time.

The Company determines its excess and obsolescence reserve by projecting the year in which inventory will be consumed into a finished product. Given ever-changing market conditions, customer preferences and the anticipated introduction of new products, it does not seem prudent nor supportable to carry inventory at full cost beyond that needed during the next 36 months.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This ASU simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes by eliminating

the requirement for entities to separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in classified balance sheets. Instead, it requires deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in the balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU 2015-17 in the first quarter of 2017 and applied it retroactively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The impact of adopting this change in accounting principle on the December 31, 2016 balance sheet was to reduce current deferred tax assets and working capital by $8.8 million and noncurrent deferred tax liabilities by $8.5 million from the amounts previously reported for these items.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 one year making it effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The new standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018 and can be applied using a modified retrospective or full retrospective method. The Company has evaluated the new standard against its existing accounting policies and practices, including reviewing standard purchase orders, invoices, shipping terms, and reviewing agreements with customers. The Company expects to adopt the new standard in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. The Company will modify its revenue recognition related to certain of its sales promotion activities that involve the shipment of no charge firearms. As a result, the Company expects to record a contract liability of approximately $7 million on January 1, 2018. In addition, certain promotional expenses that had been classified as selling expenses will be recorded as cost of products sold in future periods. The Company believes the new guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial results, cash flows, or financial position, but may have a material impact on the Company’s financial results for a particular period.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases" (ASU 2016-02), which requires companies to recognize leased assets and liabilities for both capital and operating leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Companies are required to adopt the guidance using a modified retrospective method. While the Company is currently assessing the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on the consolidated financial statements, the adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact to our consolidated financial position.

Forward-Looking Statements and Projections

The Company may, from time to time, make forward-looking statements and projections concerning future expectations. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to certain qualifying risks and uncertainties, such as market demand, sales levels of firearms, anticipated castings sales and earnings, the need for external financing for operations or

capital expenditures, the results of pending litigation against the Company, the impact of future firearms control and environmental legislation and accounting estimates, any one or more of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could” and other words and terms of similar meaning, typically identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date such forward-looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent unanticipated events.

ITEM 7A—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to changing interest rates on its investments, which consist primarily of United States Treasury instruments with short-term (less than one year) maturities and cash. The interest rate market risk implicit in the Company's investments at any given time is low, as the investments mature within short periods and the Company does not have significant exposure to changing interest rates on invested cash.

The Company has not undertaken any actions to cover interest rate market risk and is not a party to any interest rate market risk management activities.

A hypothetical 100 basis point change in market interest rates over the next year would not materially impact the Company’s earnings or cash flows. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in market interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair value of the Company’s investments.

ITEM 8—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary

Opinion on the Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary's (“the Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and our report dated February 21, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/RSM US LLP

Stamford, Connecticut

February 21, 2018

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 , and the related notes and schedule (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013, and our report dated February 21, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement , whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/RSM US LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2005.

Stamford, Connecticut

February 21, 2018

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.